The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) formerly known as National Open School (NOS). Established as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India in 1989. NIOS mainly caters to the educational needs of the out of school children in general and those belonging to school drop-outs and socially and economical backward section of the learner population. It started with Academic courses at Secondary at Senior Secondary levels. However, the concept of open schooling has changed considerably in the last few years. The system is becoming more sensitive to the occupational and life related needs of learners.Today the focus of the National Institute of Open Schooling covers right from the elementary education to courses at the predegree level, both academic and vocantional. NIOS has shown a steady growth in student enrolment, number of courses and study centres.

It has developed into the largest open School in the world with 1427 Thousands student on its roll. It attempts to reach out of physically, mentally, socially and geographically disadvantaged groups through suitable learning material and delivery mechanism.